Response of Piptatherum miliaceum to co-culture with a legume species for the phytostabilisation of trace elements contaminated soils

Purpose The presence of high concentrations of trace elements (TEs) in mine soils like those in the Sierra Minera of La Union-Cartagena (SE Spain) limits the development of a vegetation cover on such sites, and pollution dispersion by water and wind erosion represents a serious risk for the surrounding ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate different phytostabilisation procedures based on the co-culture of a legume (Bituminaria bituminosa) and a high-biomass (Piptatherum miliaceum) species for this type of soils.